Kyiv bids farewell to fallen assault trooper Danylo Smyrnov (Surfer). VIDEO+PHOTOS
On 3 September, Kyiv bid farewell to assault trooper Danylo Smyrnov (Surfer). The soldier served in the International Legion of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and was killed on 28 August.
This was reported by Censor.NET, citing Ukrinform and Ukrainska Pravda.
Details
Many young people and service members came to pay tribute to the fallen Ukrainian defender. The farewell ceremony for Surfer was held at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral. A memorial service was held there to honour the fallen soldier.
During the farewell ceremony in Kyiv, explosions were heard amid an attack by Russian drones. Danylo will be buried at Lisove Cemetery.
What is known about Danylo "Surfer" Smyrnov?
- Danylo was 16 at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. He went to Lithuania to study but later returned to Ukraine after his uncle was wounded at the front.
- He joined the military at the age of 18. He previously commanded an assault group of the 2nd Mechanized Battalion of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade. He was later wounded and, after undergoing rehabilitation, returned to service with the International Legion of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.
- The soldier chose his call sign for a reason: he was a professional surfer and also competed in surfing competitions.
Last year, Surfer married Yeva "Yunha," who also joined the military after turning 18 and became a drone operator with the National Guard of Ukraine’s Rubizh Brigade. The couple is expecting their first child in several weeks.
Read an interview with the fallen soldier’s wife, Yeva (Yunha), an FPV drone operator.
